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Amplifier wiring diagram

A typical 2-amp setup

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This simplified diagram shows how a full-blown car audio system upgrade gets wired in a car. The system includes a 4-channel amp for the front and rear pairs of full-range speakers and a mono amp for a subwoofer. Capacitors aren't usually necessary in a car stereo installation but we included one here to show how it would get wired into a system.

Comments

John

If I had two amps running their own power lines straight from the battery, how would I wire the capacitor?

Posted on 4/28/2015 8:10:38 PM

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

John, If your audio system is drawing so much power from your vehicle's electrical system that you need a capacitor, it should be connected to your subwoofer amplifier's positive power lead and ground. The diagram gives a generalized picture of how it connects. You'll need to refer to your capacitor's installation instructions for more details.

Posted on 4/29/2015 10:25:54 AM

Jose Gomez from Queens , New York

hi there, my questions is: I have 2 new Kicker - CS694 6" x 9" Coaxial Speakers with Polypropylene Cones, Handles up to 450W peak power (150W RMS) and Subwoofer 450W Pioneer 10", I want to hook up those together, but I need amplifier: How much power? and 3 or 4 channels?, help me please......this is for my work truck. thanks

Posted on 5/3/2015 10:18:09 PM

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

Jose, You will need 3 amplifier channels to run this system, two for the front speakers and one for the sub. One of the neatest ways to get the amount of channels and power you'll need is to get a 5-channel amplifier, like the Kenwood Excelon X700-5, and bridge the front and rear channels to send 100 watts RMS to each of the full-range speakers, and run the subwoofer with up to 500 watts RMS from the subwoofer channel.

Posted on 5/4/2015 12:38:11 PM

Elliott G Lemire from Canada

So what if my Deck didn't have a 'Sub out'? I plan on using the Stock Deck, (it's all integrated with steering wheel, BT etc...) I've heard of a 'Hi / Low' Filter???

Posted on 5/5/2015 1:32:02 AM

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

Elliott, You can add a subwoofer to a factory system by using a line output converter (LOC) or a subwoofer amplifier that has speaker-level inputs to get signal from the factory speaker wiring. Usually you splice into four wires - left positive and negative, and right positive and negative. The left and right signals get mixed together inside the amplifier to produce the single subwoofer signal. Your sub amp or powered subwoofer will have a low-pass filter that you must set to remove all high-frequency content and clean up the bass sound. Most people access the wiring at the vehicle's rear speakers, because it's easier to get at them there, but behind the receiver at its wiring harness is okay as well.

Posted on 5/5/2015 12:38:20 PM

John from Nevada

Buck,
I have this similiar setup. In this diagram how would I connect an epicenter?

Posted on 5/12/2015 3:17:33 PM

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

John, Processors like this get connected between a receiver and amplifier. In this case, the patch cables that come from the receiver's subwoofer output would plug into the Epicenter's inputs. The Epicenter's outputs would then go to the subwoofer amplifier's inputs. The Epicenter's power, ground, and remote turn-on lead will have to be connected in the same manner as your amplifiers. One thing to note, however, is that an Epicenter likes a full-range signal for its input - so if you use the receiver's subwoofer output, set it to full-range or set its low-pass filter to the highest frequency.

Posted on 5/12/2015 3:44:02 PM

Nate from spring ntx

what would give best performan if i have 2 500 watt 12s svc on a 1500 watt single fuse planet audio monoblock and a 3 way crossover as well as 2 2000 watt 15 dvc qpower on a 4000 watt mono block with 3000 compasitor

Posted on 5/23/2015 8:08:55 AM

Derek from Texas

I have a 2005 Mercury montego with 6 speakers. The rear deck has 2 kicker 6x9 css69. I have a Powerbass RTA-112 Single 12" powered sub. I want to replace the other 4 speakers with pioneer ts-a6885r. Will the Powerbass sub amp interfere with getting an amp for the 6 speaker?

Posted on 6/1/2015 1:14:26 PM

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

Derek, The rear deck speakers in your '05 Montego with the 6-speaker system are actually subwoofers - the factory amplifier has a built-in crossover, so any replacement speaker you put in back there will only play bass. You can certainly add a powered sub to the system to improve the bass if the factory subwoofer amp isn't powerful enough for you. When it's time to upgrade the power for your full-range speakers, you'll only need to add a 4-channel amplifier to the system.

Posted on 6/1/2015 1:53:53 PM

Abdel

I plan on running this diagram with adequate measurements taking accounted for based off of all the other DIY tutorials and explanations provided by cruthcfield which I sincerely thank all of you for. However I have a side question about the 4 channel amp and speakers i plan on purchasing. If the 4 channel amp is rated at 1600 watts but 180 watts RMS at 2 ohms by 4, and the speakers i am getting are rated at 180 watts and 60 watts RMS (JBL GTO638 )... is it 60 watt RMS per speaker (meaning that the amp is adequate or is it 60 watt rms per speaker meaning that the amp could provide the 150% max power threshold? If there is an amp that you would recommend for these speakers please include it in the response. Thank you.

Posted on 7/9/2015 2:11:12 AM

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

Jeremy, If you bought your amplifier at Crutchfield, you could call Tech Support for free help troubleshooting your system. Their toll-free number is on your invoice. If you purchased your equipment elsewhere, you can still get expert Crutchfield Tech Support - 90 days-worth for only $30. Click on this link for details.

Posted on 7/9/2015 11:57:37 AM

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

Abdel, Almost any 4-channel amplifier with between 45 and 90 watts output per channel will work with those speakers. I'm not sure your location, so I don't know what's available to you. You can contact a Crutchfield Sales Advisor for recommendations via phone or chat. The toll-free number and contact information are at the top of this page.

Posted on 7/9/2015 12:26:38 PM

Casey from United States

What if you are not able to connect 3 sets of RCA cables to your receiver? Is it safe to splice one pair of the RCA cables running to the 4 channel amp and run to sub amp? OR If the sub amp takes high level input, could you splice the speaker wire coming from the 4 channel amp and run to sub amp?

Posted on 7/13/2015 5:30:42 PM

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

Casey, It is never a good idea to try and splice into an RCA cable, that may introduce noise and interference. In order to feed multiple amplifiers from a limited number of channels you can use Y-cords - adapter cables with a single connection on one end and two on the other.

Posted on 7/14/2015 12:54:12 PM

CHRIS PAUL from Melbourne

Hello I am having problems making my setup sound cleaner/ which boxes to use/ which amp to pair with subs/ wiring issues??? first i will list my setup as accurately as possible for you. head unit: basic pioneer no bluetooth. 2 pre amp outputs front aux and usb cost about $80kicker rcas from best buyoff brand rcasamps: kenwood 5 channel 1200 watt max, got from best buy for 250 normal price is 350power acoustic 2000 watt mono block, got from a friend for cheap :)subwoofers: 2 kicker compVR DVC 12 inch subwoofers2 power acoustics that i got with the 2000 watt amp. im assuming these speakers have somewhere around 600-800 rms EACHthe 2 front door speakers and tweeters in the camry are stock, i obviously want to change that eventually. the rear deck speakers dont work because i bypassed the stock jbl amplifier that comes with the car. so i bought a pair of polk audio 6x9s from best buy they were 149.99 for the pair. i think this model got discontinued but i like them they scream
pretty loud. i have the polk audios hooked up to the kenwood 5 channel amplifier. i havent taken the time to switch the 6x9 polk audios with the rear decks that arent working. so the 6x9s are sitting on top of the rear deck sliding around LOL.on to the subwoofer setup. i have the 2 kickers compVR 12 inch hooked up to the kenwood 5 channel. i have them bridged .then i have the 2 12 inch power acoustics hooked up to the 2000 watt amp. i also have a scosche capacitor hooked up in the backi am running 4 gau

Posted on 7/21/2015 2:31:26 PM

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

Chris, If you had bought your gear at Crutchfield, you could call Tech Support for free help troubleshooting your system. You can still get expert Crutchfield Tech Support - 90 days-worth for only $30. Click on this link for details. If you do, be prepared to identify your equipment by make and model number, not by what price you got it for.

Posted on 7/21/2015 2:56:56 PM

Felix Harvey from Dyer

I have a five channel amplifier that is powering four speakers and a sub. It has three 30 amp fuses on it so I am using a 100 amp fuse close to the battery. I want to add a mono amp just to power my sub that has two 30 amp fuses in it. Having two amps I know I will be adding a power and ground blocks and run 4 gauge wire from the battery. my actual question is what size fuse am I now going to need at the battery, or will it remain a 1oo amp fuse.

Posted on 8/1/2015 1:35:17 PM

Clifton Bond from United States

Thank you.

Posted on 8/1/2015 7:36:39 PM

Keith from Winder

I have a van I'm putting a 15" sub with a 1200 watt rockford fosgate prime with 4 RF 6 1/2" with a 600 watt prime and 4 RF tweets on a 300 watt prime the head unit has 3 sets of outputs. Is this the best way to hook it all up?

Posted on 8/2/2015 12:56:21 PM

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

Felix, The in-line fuse on the power wire by the battery protects the wire and your car from fire in the event of a short circuit. If you're using a 4-gauge wire from the battery to a distribution block, then a 100-amp fuse should be okay. If you find that your amps are struggling to make power, you may want to consider upgrading to a 2-gauge wire and 150-amp fuse.

Posted on 8/2/2015 4:11:59 PM

Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield

Keith, Are you planning on installing four full-range speakers and then adding more tweeters? Or are these Rockford Fosgate components that come in a set and have their own crossovers? If that's the case, then you won't need that third amplifier. This wiring diagram shows a typical setup for running four full-range speakers and a subwoofer. If you want to add two tweeters to this kind of system, you'll have to get signal for them using Y-cords on the front full-range channel RCAs. You'll also need a crossover filter, high-pass, to prevent bass notes tearing the tweeters apart.

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